small stories about transgression and fashion

Black Friday, a Front Street/Steely Dan mashup

I’m going to tell you how to shop on Friday. Start at the corner of Front and Liberty facing diagonal. Aquarium supplies are to the right, the yoga studio is behind you, the jail is straight ahead. You can’t get that kind of balance at the mall.

Now you have coffee, now you have art, now you have walked close to the jail but not inside it. Now you’ve touched a brittle Rolling Stone. Now you have felt Mona’s hands tuck a blanket around your feet and press your shoulders down into the ground. Now you have bought a multi-pack of Nag Champa and been told you’ll make it through the year. With these things in your pockets and Steely Dan in your hearts, go forth into the holiday season.